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Now a Disgraced Country Indeed
Today, as the world marks World Health Day, we must pause for honest reflection.
Nigeria, a nation of over 200 million people, continues to grapple with one of the weakest healthcare systems in the world. Our primary healthcare structure is almost comatose. We now record worse infant mortality outcomes than India, a country with a larger population, while health insurance coverage in Nigeria remains below 5%. These are not just statistics; they are a painful indictment of our priorities.
Recent disclosures by the Honourable Minister of Health show that out of the ₦218 billion appropriated for healthcare capital expenditure, only about ₦36 million has been released. This is deeply troubling.
At the same time, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has projected over ₦135 billion for legal expenditures.
Let us reflect on this.
The amount earmarked for election-related litigation is far higher than what has been made available for primary healthcare, the very foundation of a nation’s wellbeing. This is the same primary healthcare system expected to serve millions of Nigerians and support critical institutions such as:
1. University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City
2. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar
3. University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada
4. University College Hospital, Ibadan
5. Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife
6. University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin
7. Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua
8. University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu
9. Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos
10. Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital, Kano
11. Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos
12. University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri
13. Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
14. University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt
15. Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto
16. University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo
17. Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
18. Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki
19. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
20. Federal Medical Centre, Yola
These institutions represent hope for millions. Yet, they remain underfunded, overstretched, and burdened by systemic neglect.
A nation that prepares more for electoral disputes than for the health of its citizens is a nation that has lost its way.
We must begin to ask the difficult but necessary questions: What are our true priorities? What kind of nation are we building? And for whom?
Healthcare and education are not optional; they are the foundation of national development. Any country that neglects them undermines its own future.
Nigeria must urgently reorder its priorities. We must invest in the health and wellbeing of our people, strengthen our institutions, and build a system that works for all, not just a few.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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